INTO North America's third U.S. partnership was announced at the conclusion of a four-day "familiarization" trip to the university that was attended by more than 75 of INTO's regional marketing staff and educational counselors.
"We are extremely proud of our new partnership with Colorado State, a Carnegie Tier One U.S. research university," said David Stremba, INTO's Managing Director for North America. "CSU has a world renowned reputation for excellence in research and teaching, a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, and Fort Collins and the state of Colorado offer an amazing abundance of natural beauty and activities to experience while students further their education. The INTO CSU partnership will create more opportunities for international students to experience the many benefits of Colorado State while enhancing Colorado's attraction as a study destination."
The launch of INTO CSU will enable the University to attract greater numbers of international students to its campus, introduce innovative study programs that help those students adapt to an American university environment, and enhance campus services and facilities to make CSU an even more welcoming environment for international students. The venture is also expected to create dozens of new jobs and economic opportunities for both CSU and the larger Fort Collins region.
"CSU has a long-standing tradition of attracting international students to its world-class academic and research programs, and I'm very excited about the opportunity to expand that through our new relationship with INTO," Colorado State President Tony Frank said.
The cornerstone of the partnership will be the INTO CSU study center on the University's Fort Collins campus. Beginning August 2012, INTO CSU will enroll approximately 350 international students in a variety academic Pathway programs, as well as intensive English language programs. Enrollment at INTO CSU is forecasted to reach approximately 1,000 students within five years.
Key INTO CSU leadership will include INTO's UK Academic Operations Director, Liz Munro, recently appointed as the INTO CSU Interim Center Director. Pattie Cowell, Associate Dean of the University's College of Liberal Arts, has been appointed Academic Director.
"We've worked closely with INTO in recent months to create an innovative curriculum that will help assimilate international students into the fabric of Colorado State," said Jim Cooney, the university's vice provost for international affairs. "The partnership with INTO will augment and work in concert with the university's other established international initiatives and truly enhance the international experience for all CSU students, faculty and staff."
The center's offerings will include undergraduate Pathway programs in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, General Studies, and Sciences. A wide variety of graduate Pathways with both Accelerated (one semester) and Standard (two semester) options will be offered, including four Business options and four Engineering options.
INTO CSU's curriculum of intensive English language and Pathway classes will be taught by university instructors. Students who successfully complete an INTO CSU Pathway will be eligible to continue their studies in university degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
"We are delighted to welcome Colorado State University to our growing network of leading universities. Building on the strengths of the university's existing programs, this joint venture will increase access for international students who want to pursue their higher education goals at CSU," said Andrew Colin, Chairman of INTO University Partnerships. "We have experienced exceptional student performance at our two current U.S. partner universities and we look forward to INTO CSU enjoying similar successes in the coming years."